Open-air cinema in Siem Reap
Siem Reap is an essential stop on any trip to Cambodia. Dynamic, welcoming, and located near the temples of Angkor, the city also offers a unique opportunity to connect with the local community through its cinemas and outdoor film screenings. Here are three great places to catch a movie under the stars.
Cinema in Siem Reap: The Alliance Française Film Club
The Alliance Française is an organization dedicated to teaching French as a foreign language (FLE). Founded in 1883 to promote French culture abroad—particularly after France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870—it is considered the world’s first cultural NGO. Today, it operates 820 branches in 135 countries, supporting the spread and usage of the French language globally.
The Siem Reap branch of the Alliance Française is located in the Svay Dangkhum district, which also includes the old French Quarter. The institution offers open-air cinema screenings on its rooftop terrace and regularly hosts a variety of cultural events.
Among the highlights is the annual Animation Film Festival, held every October. The event also features a musical and cinematic “French Apéro” (aperitif), taking place just a few kilometers from the iconic Angkor Wat.
Practical Information
Address: BP 93274, Svay Dangkhum, Krong Siem Reap 17259, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Schedule: Every two weeks – Children's screenings on Wednesdays at 3:30 PM; adult screenings on Thursdays at 6:00 PM
Price : Free for children; 10,000 riels (approx. €2.20)
Travelling Screen Festival: Mobile screenings for local communities
While visiting Siem Reap, you may be lucky enough to attend one of the screenings organized by Travelling Screen, a non-profit film association.
Founded by a French cinephile who fell in love with Cambodia after working in the film industry, the organization hosts mobile screenings across 15 provinces. One of its regular venues includes Phnom Penh's popular outdoor entertainment hub, WB Arena.
Through these screenings, the association aims to foster intergenerational connections among Cambodians and to introduce cinema to younger audiences. In many rural areas of Cambodia, there are no movie theaters, and those in larger cities primarily show mainstream blockbusters.
Travelling Screen’s mobile film festival is a great opportunity to share a special moment with locals who are gradually discovering the magic of cinema—often while enjoying a shared meal or barbecue.
Practical Information
Address: Bamboo St, Krong Siem Reap
When: Dates vary depending on the festival schedule
Price : Free of charge
Bamboo Cinema: Movies under the stars in Siem Reap
Bamboo Cinema is a seasonal and popular open-air movie venue that screens both local films and international classics. Nestled within the gardens of the renowned Bamboo Stage (a well-known performance venue), this outdoor cinema offers a relaxing, leafy atmosphere—perfect for enjoying a film beneath the starry sky of Siem Reap.
Practical Information
Address: Bamboo St, Krong Siem Reap
Schedule : Monday evenings at 7:00 PM
Audrey Denjean